What's new at MLS

As an organization that works with low income people in Massachusetts, we wanted to make sure that your staff knows about the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder -- a new, web based tool that connects low income people in Massachusetts with legal help. To use the LRF, which is free, people go…

We are writing to ask SNAP Coalition Members to flag SNAP or cash cases of individuals currently or previously denied or terminated from SNAP or cash assistance benefits because DTA thought they were incarcerated. DTA started an "automated" prison match with the Department of Corrections (DOC)…

The clock is ticking - June 30th is the deadline for School Districts to notify the Mass Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) they wish to participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and provide free lunch and breakfast to all children in one or more schools,…

Did you know that there are 880 elementary and secondary schools in Massachusetts - of nearly 2,000 schools - that have high percentages of low income students and could be providing free breakfast and lunches to ALL students in the school or throughout the school district? Community…

MLRI recently became aware of a number of SNAP web applications denied for lack of verification of residence, even though the applicant submitted a current RMV license or state ID.  SNAP Coalition members also flagged this problem at the May 20th Coalition meeting. Under…

See email from Frank Martinez-Nocito re rescheduling of event due to foul weather.  If you would like to get updates on this and other events, please send Frank your email.  frank.martineznocito@state.ma.us   Separately, there was a small error in the EBT photo flier…

We have continued to receive calls and emails from community organizations and/or SNAP recipients directly who have received SNAP termination notices. We have been called by employers who were asked to produce verification for persons that have not worked for them.  We have seen a flurry of…

We are writing to alert you to two recent Operations Memos where DTA has decided that when SNAP benefits are not being used fast enough or are "un-accessed" - DTA has a process for first taking the SNAP benefits "offline" and, if they remain un-accessed,…

DTA has issued new guidance, Operations Memo 2014-24, that changes how DTA confirms information they get about a SNAP or cash recipient's new job, an increase in wages or a problem with a Social Security number (SSN).  DTA typically gets wage information from the…

  The NEXT Boston-based SNAP Coalition Meeting is Tuesday, March 25th from 10 to Noon at St Francis House in Boston. The Coalition meeting will include discussion of the Farm Bill and Massachusetts "H-EAT program".  A more detailed agenda will follow.  Meanwhile, we…